Cord Wood and Crib Wood Testing

Update

EPA is committed to ensuring that new wood stoves and other wood burning devices comply with Clean Air Act standards to reduce health-harming pollution.  In light of information from states and other stakeholders provided in late 2020 and early 2021, the agency is taking a number of actions to address concerns about the methods and manner in which new wood stoves are being tested for compliance with the 2015 New Source Performance Standards under the Clean Air Act.

These actions will take time and continued engagement with stakeholders. Given the concerns raised, EPA is carefully reviewing both current and new Certifications of Compliance and will take actions as appropriate.  For more info, please visit https://www.epa.gov/burnwise/epa-approved-test-labs-and-third-party-certifiers-residential-wood-heaters.

EPA, along with State and industry stakeholders, believes emissions testing using cord wood is important because it presents a more realistic picture of emissions from wood heaters in daily use. Manufacturers of wood burning devices who must meet the Final New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for Residential Wood Heaters can test emissions using cord wood.

While not required, manufacturers choosing to test with cord wood need to have prior EPA approval.

Crib wood is a specified configuration and quality of dimensional lumber and spacers, usually cut 2”x4” or 4”x4” lumber improve the repeatability of wood burning emissions test methods. (See Figure 1)

Cord wood, also called firewood, is what a typical homeowner uses, and is a more accurate measure of how a wood heater will perform in homes. (See Figure 2)